Hana POV
Under a blanket Hana lies feeling cozy why reading her novel closing herself from the chaos outside the world. Her phone rang showing her friend ziran who traveled back to China for the lunar year.
It had been ten days. Ten long, dragging days since Hana last heard from Ziran. And then, that morning, her phone buzzed
Her heart leapt when she saw the name flash across the screen—Ziran.
"Hana!!" Ziran's voice burst through the speaker, so loud and full of emotion that Hana had to pull the phone slightly away from her ear.
Hey finally! look the diva had call at the end...
"Ziran! Where have you been? I thought you got kidnapped by pandas in China!" Hana exclaimed, laughter bursting from her lips for the first time in days.
Did you fall from a mountain or something cause I've been trying to get you the phone on. what happened? Ziran.....hana said as she answered the phone.
Ziran laughs:
Oof. Okay, fair. Drag me. I deserve it. No, I didn't fall off a mountain, but my phone did take a quick dip into a hot pot
Like "My phone drowned in hot pot,"during a Lunar New Year dinner. Long story. Very wet. Very dead. But I'm back, Ziran said dramatically. "And finding your number again was like a national treasure hunt. Oh my God, Hana, I missed you. I've got a temporary phone, a thousand things to tell you, and I met someone. Like… someone someone.
Really! when are you coming back cause I'm in for the gist . Hana replied.
This coming Saturday..... Ziran replied grinning over the phone.
Ok. How about family?...Hana asked.
Aww, you're the best. Family's good. loud, chaotic, full of dumplings and unsolicited life advice, as usual. Grandma's already trying to set me up with a "nice local calligraphy teacher" even though I clearly have a mysterious market poet in the picture now While
My cousin thinks I've "caught feelings faster than a firecracker." He's not wrong thus ...But honestly? It's been really healing. The traditions, the food, the stories… it's made me think about a lot. I miss you though. Can't wait to be back.....
They talked over each other, laughed, and gushed for minutes. But soon Ziran's laughter paused. "Hana... are you okay?"
You holding it down over there? What's the gossip on your end?
Hana heaved and hissed...
Girl, what happened?
Spill it. Don't even try to soften it—I want names, dates, emotional damage ratings. Ziran asked.
The slight hesitation in Hana's voice had given her away.
Hana exhaled."I'm fine. I just… I think I've been waiting for you to come back so I could tell you everything. It's been a lot."
I will wait for you to come back because I need someone to talk to, is it really long story,..... But girl have you heard from Anna?... Hana asked trying to divert her from asking more questions.
"Say no more. I'm on the next flight back. I'll be your therapist, exorcist, and lawyer all in one. Just hold on a bit more." And about Anna haven't heard much from her
I'm catching the first flight home, I swear. The minute I land, we're having an emergency debrief no matter what.....Ziran replied anxiously.
Okay see you on Saturday safe journey and bring more snacks and um I would like to hear your own story. You know what you're having a girl night. Love you... muah.....Hana replied.
They hung up after promises and jokes, but Hana's chest already felt lighter. Just hearing Ziran's voice felt like someone had opened a window in a stuffy room.
Later that evening, her phone buzzed again. She didn't even have to check the screen this time. She just knew it was him.
"Hey," Minji's voice came through, soft, tired.
"How's everything?" she asked, as she sat on the window ledge, watching the streetlights come on one by one.
"Preparing for the concert. Everyone's a bit on edge," he admitted. "But I thought of you when I saw a kid wearing a cat hoodie like the one you showed me."
She smiled faintly. "I miss you."
"I miss you more," he said. And in that quiet space, even without seeing each other, their connection hummed like a steady melody.